Gov. Sam Brownback announces federal approval to go ahead with KanCare. Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Shawn Sullivan is beside Brownback.

Gov. Sam Brownback on Friday announced that federal officials have approved a waiver request to implement sweeping changes to the Kansas Medicaid system.

Kansas has already awarded three contracts to managed care organizations to run the Medicaid program, which provides health care coverage to 380,000 poor and disabled residents.

Known as KanCare, the Brownback administration has said the changes will help control care costs and improve care.

The new system will be in effect Jan. 1.